Almond Croissant Cookie Bars: A Fusion of Pastry and Cookie
Almond Croissant Cookie Bars fuse the buttery richness of a shortbread base with a gooey almond frangipane filling and a crunchy almond topping. Enjoy the indulgent flavors of a French almond croissant in easy-to-cut bar form—perfect for sharing or gifting.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 1 cup almond flour (blanched almond meal)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 flour)
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar (or brown sugar for extra depth)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (or vegan butter)
- 1 large egg (or dairy-free substitute)
- 2 Tbsp milk (or dairy-free alternative)
- 1 tsp almond extract (optional but recommended)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Sliced almonds (for topping)
- For the Frangipane Filling:
- 1 cup almond flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter (or vegan butter)
- 2 Tbsp milk (or dairy-free alternative)
- 1 tsp almond extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the Frangipane Filling: In a bowl, mix almond flour, sugar, melted butter, milk, and almond extract until smooth. Chill the mixture in the fridge to firm up.
- Prepare the Dough: In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add milk and almond extract, then stir in the all-purpose flour, almond flour, and baking powder until a soft dough forms.
- Assemble the Bars: Press half of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the chilled frangipane filling evenly over the dough.
- Top with Dough & Almonds: Crumble or shape the remaining dough over the frangipane, covering it slightly. Sprinkle sliced almonds over the top.
- Bake: Bake for 30–50 minutes (depending on layer thickness) until the edges are golden and the top is set. Check for doneness with a toothpick.
- Cool: Let the bars cool completely in the pan, for at least 1 hour, before slicing.
Notes
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the dough.
- Vegan Option: Swap butter and milk for plant-based versions.
- Sugar Alternatives: Use brown sugar in the base for added depth. You can reduce the sugar slightly, but too much reduction may alter the texture.
- Frangipane Flavor Twist: Add orange or lemon zest to the filling for a citrusy kick.
- Crumble Topping: For a streusel effect, crumble the top dough rather than shaping it into discs.
